{"title":"On statistical entropy measures in material flow analysis and their common framework","authors":"Oliver Cencic, Helmut Rechberger","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Statistical entropy (SE) is a method to quantify distributions of any metric. In material flow analysis, SE was initially applied to examine the distribution of a single chemical element over a set of material flows. This made it possible to quantify the entropy change caused by a process with respect to a single substance. However, using Shannon's SE equation in another way, SE can also be applied to the distribution of all substances within one specific material flow. This paper presents how these two approaches are actually connected and how the first can be derived from the second in a mathematically sound, straightforward way. Finally, we show how to compute the combined SE for a set of material flows with respect to several selected substances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 200237"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unraveling economic-environmental coupling in China's petrochemical industry towards carbon peaking","authors":"Yingjie Liu , Hanbo Gao , Haoge Xu , Jinping Tian , Lyujun Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The petrochemical industry is a (key pillar) of chemical production and has relatively stable product demand in a long term, but it faces great decarbonization challenges due to the high energy consumption and complex industrial structure. To tackle this, a flow-land-infrastructure-petrochemical (FLIP) multi-factor model is developed with integration of material and energy flow analysis and decoupling assessment, targeting industrial carbon peaking via industrial structure upgrading and production efficiency improvement of four-digit level petrochemical sub-sectors. A nationally leading petrochemical industrial park was then selected to validate the model's effectiveness and robustness. Through the model optimization, the park could achieve 19 % and 30 % of CO<sub>2</sub>e emission reductions in 2025 and 2030 respectively, compared with emissions in the scenario without intervention. The overall carbon productivity could rise by 89 % with a decoupling index of -0.15 between economic growth and carbon emissions during 2020–2030, showing a feasible carbon peaking pathway. Infrastructure with lock-in emissions needs energy system transformation and adjacent industrial symbiosis from a regional perspective, while promotion targets and entry thresholds of carbon productivity should be individually tailored for each stock and incremental manufacturing sub-industry. The model could be extended to other petrochemical clusters and emission-intensive industries, synergistically addressing the effects of structure upgrading and efficiency progress to support practical and economically sustainable carbon peaking pathway formulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 200236"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142744323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jule Jeschonowski-Papstein , Lukas Gast , Markus Binding , Martin Faulstich
{"title":"Improving the recycling of plastic parts in household appliances–a review","authors":"Jule Jeschonowski-Papstein , Lukas Gast , Markus Binding , Martin Faulstich","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Household appliances account for a large proportion of the e-waste generated worldwide each year. Up to 75 % of this waste is currently incinerated or landfilled. The recycling industry focuses on harvesting valuable parts, like metals; however, household appliances are not only made of metals, but also recyclable plastics. This article reviews how the recycling of these plastics has developed since 2014 and which new approaches, such as ecodesign, currently are being pursued to promote the recycling of (plastic parts in) household appliances in the future. The findings of the present review paper show that the consideration of recycling is extending to the life cycle of products over time; however, a holistic approach is still lacking, and although problems such as the recycling of plastics containing flame retardants are known, the latter are still not being considered in the product development phase. Other challenges, which already existed 10 years ago, such as those posed by the illegal sector, are still in focus today. Conversely, there are many ideas, like material tracking, incentive systems or microfactory treatment, on how the recycling of (plastic from) household appliances can be improved in the future, which necessitate further research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 200235"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143105044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Building sustainable community: Insight from successful waste management initiative","authors":"Unruan Leknoi , Pisut Painmanakul , Nattawin Chawaloesphonsiya , Wuthiwong Wimolsakcharoen , Chadalak Samritthinanta , Annop Yiengthaisong","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global waste situation presents a significant challenge worldwide, especially in developing countries experiencing rapid economic development and urban growth. Waste separation for recycling is a recognized sustainable management method that overcomes budget limitations and the lack of advanced technology. However, promoting waste separation remains a challenging issue that requires learning from successful lessons to advance this agenda. This study examines a successful waste management initiative started by a community in response to a significant waste issue. It's a case study of a low-income community near Bangkok, Thailand. The study uses the theory of change to understand the community's success and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to evaluate the sustainability of the waste management efforts. The study highlights how the community effectively addressed a significant waste problem that was negatively impacting water sources and causing pollution. The leadership of the community leader played a crucial role in implementing successful strategies, including developing diverse participation approaches to meet the needs of various community members. The community utilized the PDCA (Plan Do Check Act) cycle to drive progress, and the task force operated on a foundation of equality, fostering horizontal relationships, and distribute of incentives. The process of effecting change was described in line with the theory of change, resulting in a successful outcome. Ultimately, this study will offer valuable insights for low-income communities worldwide, empowering them to tackle waste issues and foster sustainability within their neighborhoods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 200238"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143105135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Attitudes and preferences of the Chinese public towards products made from recycled materials: A text mining approach","authors":"Heng Xu, Chong Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Products made from recycled materials, as an environmentally friendly option, have attracted public attention. Understanding public attitudes and preferences towards such products is crucial for their market development. In order to explore the Chinese residents’ attitude and emotional tendency, we analyzed public discussions and topics on products made from recycled materials from Sina Weibo. Meanwhile, LDA and BERT deep learning models were employed to assess the level of public attention, hot topics, and sentiment tendencies in China. Results show a significant upward trend in public interest in products made from recycled materials. Although the fact that most people have a positive attitude towards the environmental concept of products made from recycled materials and support such products, there is not a significant demand for products made from recycled materials, i.e., there is a green attitude-behaviour gap. Results further reveal that factors such as the price of products made from recycled materials, branding, and public skepticism about the sustainability of the products are the main reasons for the gap between environmental awareness and consumer behaviour. By analyzing the public's cognitive structure and psychological characteristics regarding products made from recycled materials through social media data, this paper can help recycling manufacturers understand consumers' needs and expectations, as well as assist policymakers in formulating better circular economy policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 200234"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142540362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shayaan Syed , Adolf Acquaye , Malik Mansoor Khalfan , Theresa Obuobisa-Darko , Fred Amofa Yamoah
{"title":"Decoding sustainable consumption behavior: A systematic review of theories and models and provision of a guidance framework","authors":"Shayaan Syed , Adolf Acquaye , Malik Mansoor Khalfan , Theresa Obuobisa-Darko , Fred Amofa Yamoah","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable consumption behavior (SCB) has gained increasing importance in addressing global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion. This paper presents a systematic review of theories and models applied to understanding SCB. A total of 64 studies, published between 2012 and 2022, were analyzed, utilizing 14 theories, models and subjects to identify key drivers of SCB. Among the theories, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was the most frequently employed, with 29 studies, highlighting the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on sustainable consumption. Other prominent frameworks include Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), used in 5 studies, and the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) Theory, applied in 4 studies. The review identified a trend toward expanding TPB to include factors such as altruism and environmental concern to better capture SCB's complexity. Moreover, models like the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (used in 4 studies) emphasize the role of innovation adoption in promoting sustainability. Key findings also suggest that while internal motivations (e.g., personal values, attitudes) strongly influence SCB, external factors like social norms and policy interventions also play a crucial role. A notable challenge is the gap between intention and actual behavior, with several studies emphasizing the need for multi-dimensional approaches that integrate psychological, social, and contextual factors. This review consolidates diverse approaches into a guiding framework for future SCB studies, emphasizing the importance of contextual nuances and interdisciplinary collaboration to foster sustainable consumer behaviors across various domains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 200232"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142441732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A two-step approach to recycling hydroponics waste nutrient solutions using fertiliser drawn forward osmosis and chemical precipitation","authors":"Suhaib Malkawi , Dharmappa Hagare , Basant Maheshwari","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200233","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200233","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydroponic waste nutrient solutions (HWNS) present significant environmental and economic challenges due to their high phosphorus content and potential for eutrophication. Addressing these issues requires innovative approaches that mitigate environmental impacts and recover valuable resources. This study introduces a novel two-step approach that combines Fertiliser Drawn Forward Osmosis (FDFO) and chemical precipitation to recycle HWNS effectively.</div><div>In the first phase, FDFO was employed to concentrate HWNS using a commercial hydroponic fertiliser as the draw solution. This process resulted in a diluted fertiliser solution (potentially suitable for reuse in hydroponics irrigation) and a concentrated HWNS rich in phosphorus. The concentrated HWNS was then subjected to chemical precipitation in the second phase, where phosphorus was recovered as calcium phosphate by adding sodium hydroxide at an optimised pH of 9.5.</div><div>Bench-scale experiments demonstrated a 93% water recovery rate using FDFO and an impressive 99.5% phosphorus removal efficiency through chemical precipitation. These results indicate that the combined FDFO and chemical precipitation processes effectively recover water and phosphorus from HWNS and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers and freshwater in hydroponic systems.</div><div>The findings of this study demonstrate that the two-step approach not only enhances water and phosphorus recovery but also improves the efficiency of the chemical precipitation process by achieving higher recovery rates resulting in more sustainable hydroponic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 200233"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142433458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frank Schiller, Katharina Prehn, Pascal Knebel, Gunther Gehlert
{"title":"Electrolysis and waste heat utilisation in the sustainable transition of Germany's energy system","authors":"Frank Schiller, Katharina Prehn, Pascal Knebel, Gunther Gehlert","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The article examines the use of the by-product waste heat in hydrogen projects in Germany. It identifies several conditions for the use of waste heat. These relate to infrastructure, electrolysis operating modes and sector coupling. It uses a set-theoretic method to attribute causality between these conditions and the outcome, in order to arrive at a robust comparison of the heterogeneous cases. Counter-intuitively, our analysis suggests that the absence of gas infrastructure, along with existing district heating systems, is the strongest explanatory condition for waste heat recovery, with industrial participation supporting this.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 200231"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142425553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cost factors affecting the utilisation of secondary materials in the construction sector: A systematic literature review","authors":"Soheila Ghafoor , Salman Shooshtarian , Nilupa Udawatta , Argaw Gurmu , Gayani Karunasena , Tayyab Maqsood","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The building and construction sector accounts for a substantial portion of the consumption of natural resources and the generation of waste. The use of secondary materials in this sector offers a promising avenue to reduce reliance on primary materials and curb waste generation. However, the utilisation of these materials is heavily influenced by cost considerations and a comprehensive understanding of the associated costs is lacking. Therefore, this study systematically reviewed key literature to identify cost categories and factors that influence the cost of utilising secondary materials in construction projects. The PRISMA method was employed for asystematic review of the literature from 2013 to 2023. Furthermore, the study explored strategies for enhancing cost performance. The results delineated 13 distinct cost categories within five phases of materials' extended service life (i.e. end-of-life, secondary production, design and planning, installation in existing/new site and operation) and 53 factors influencing the cost performance of secondary materials. Additionally, 22 diverse strategies were identified to enhance this performance. The paper recommends two approaches to implement these strategies: establishing government-led platforms to promote these strategies and enhancing waste education. The findings hold significance for practitioners and policymakers aiming to enhance resource efficiency in construction projects towards a Circular Economy (CE).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 200230"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142425557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laisa Matagi , Delmaria Richards , Helmut Yabar , Takeshi Mizunoya , Gia Hong Tran , Christian Toochukwu Ogbonna
{"title":"Enhancing Solid Waste Management in Fiji: A Comprehensive Approach with LCA, GIS, and Waste Treatment Strategies","authors":"Laisa Matagi , Delmaria Richards , Helmut Yabar , Takeshi Mizunoya , Gia Hong Tran , Christian Toochukwu Ogbonna","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Small island developing states (SIDS) face persistent challenges in managing household solid waste due to inadequate waste management infrastructure. This study investigates the existing solid waste management practices in Nasinu Town Council, Fiji, through waste characterization survey (WACS) and life cycle assessment (LCA), accompanied by geographic information system (GIS) analysis to evaluate potential waste treatment facilities. Various strategies are explored, including recycling inorganic waste and converting organic waste into energy. Landfill gas recovery is identified as a significant contributor to reducing toxic gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and methane (CH₄) emissions. Furthermore, treating organic waste reduces landfill volume and minimizes the release of pollutants. The study emphasizes the importance of supportive policies for effective solid waste management and highlights how organic waste treatment can improve waste management in Nasinu Town. This research, unique among SIDS studies, provides valuable insights and replicable technologies applicable to the study area and the broader Pacific Region, with the potential to significantly improve solid waste management practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 200228"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667378924000270/pdfft?md5=c6219481bc1716f8d1b0a44df922f38e&pid=1-s2.0-S2667378924000270-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142171981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}